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Spain ends compulsory face masks on public transport as of Feb 8

Perhaps of little importance, but as of yesterday (Feb 8), the Official State Gazette (BOE) has modified the royal decree that regulates the mandatory use of the masks in Spain. This is how the use of masks in Spain will be regulated from Wednesday, February 8:

Is still mandatory in:

Health centers: it will continue to be mandatory in all the health centers included in Royal Decree 1277/2003 . They include hospitals, health centers and clinics of all kinds. The list includes almost a hundred centers such as physiotherapy, clinical psychology consultations, assisted reproduction centers or speech therapy.

Pharmacies: the mask is kept in health establishments where medicines are dispensed, such as pharmacies and first-aid kits.

Retirement Homes: in social health centers, for the people who work in them whenever they are in contact with residents and visitors when they are in shared areas.

No longer required in:

Public transport . It is no longer mandatory for all types of public transport: metro, plane, bus, boats, taxis and VTC services, among others.

Health establishments that do not dispense medicines : there are three types of health establishments that are excluded from the mandatory use of masks: orthopedics, hearing centers, and opticians.

In the workplace: they were no longer, but the royal decree maintains a clause whereby the occupational risk prevention services can impose masks in exceptional cases, such as if there were widespread outbreaks in the company.

Source: https://elpais.com/sociedad/2023-02-07/donde-es-obligatorio-el-uso-de-la-mascarilla.html

Posted by
21155 posts

Wow, and I just left Tuesday morning. I saw only a sprinkling of people wearing masks on the Barcelona Metro, despite the constant announcements on the PA that they were mandatory.

Posted by
4180 posts

I think it was well known several days in advance that the change was happening, I guess the people anticipated it earlier, the despite the "official" messages

Posted by
7886 posts

Good to know. Too late in my case.
I had already cancelled two visits to Spain because of the continued mask wearing on public transport. Partly on the principle of it, but mainly because of the public health message which it was sending out about the risks which the government perceived to exist.
And that from someone who is still being very deeply cautious in daily life in England.
This spring's trip was a dream itinerary which I can't replicate again.